The Ruins on Stone Hill

by F. P. Spirit

  Seth answered before Lloyd could reply, “Of course he did. Lloyd knows everything about Penwick.”

  Francis appeared impressed. “Really?”

  Lloyd gave Seth a warning glare. “Well, not everything.”

  Seth snickered softly as Francis motioned them to follow. “We’ll have to let the baron know there’s another Penwick expert in town. It’s actually one of his favorite subjects.”

  Lloyd sounded less than enthused. “That’s okay, don’t go to any trouble on my account.”

  There was no dampening Francis’s enthusiasm. “No trouble at all.”

  The group exited the main hall and entered a long hallway at the back of the keep. They passed a few closed doors on either side of the hall and stopped in front of a large, ornate doorway at the other end. Francis bade them to wait there then opened the door and entered the room. Inside someone was speaking. They caught a glimpse of people sitting on long benches. Francis walked over to another guard and had a brief conversation. After a short while, they both strode back to the doorway. The two guards exited the room and closed the door behind them. The second guard wore the same uniform as the others, except that he had two stars in the upper left corner of his tabard. Francis introduced them.

  “This is Lieutenant Relkin. Lieutenant, this is Aksel, Lloyd, Seth and Glolindir.”

  Lieutenant Relkin gave them a curt bow. “An honor to meet you gentlemen. I understand it was you four who cleaned up that mess up at Stone Hill.”

  “Along with Titan and Brundon,” Lloyd added.

  A pained looked crossed Lieutenant Relkin’s face. It quickly disappeared. “Ah yes, Delara and her companion Brundon. They are quite able in their own right.”

  Glo thought the reaction strange. He glanced at Aksel, but the gnome’s expression was unreadable as he responded, “We found them so.”

  Relkin merely nodded. “Be that as it may, mercenaries are not usually allowed in town meetings.”

  Glo raised an eyebrow. He found the term ‘mercenary’ distasteful. It implied an interest purely in profit. Perhaps that described Brundon, but certainly not Titan. He also wondered if he and his friends would be turned away from this meeting. Relkin paused for a moment as if deliberating that very point before answering.

  “However, considering your accomplishment up at Stone Hill, I think we can make an exception in your case.”

  Aksel executed a curt bow. “We are most grateful.”

  Relkin nodded. “Very good. Francis, you are dismissed. The rest of you follow me.” He opened the door and led the four of them inside.

  The Truth about Lloyd

  Gods, the man could swing a blade!

  The companions found themselves in a long room with rows of benched seats facing toward the front. There was a pathway up the middle very much like a temple. The seats were filled with people, all of whom were watching a man at the front of the room. He was currently speaking about fishing rights in the nearby Merchant Bay. Behind him, up a few steps, stood two thrones. On the left throne sat a powerfully-built man. He appeared to be in his mid-forties with piercing blue eyes, darkish brown hair, and a beard and mustache that same deep color.

  That must be Baron Gryswold. Even though the baron was seated, Glo could tell he was tall. Gryswold wore simple finery of a military cut with a longsword strapped to his side. The Ravenford symbol was emblazoned on it in the upper left corner. On the throne to the right sat a tall, regal woman with long chestnut hair, bright amber eyes, and porcelain skin. Something about her carriage reminded Glo of his mother, Aerandir.

  And that would be the Baroness Gracelynn. The baroness wore a pale blue gown with the symbol of the God Arenor, the god of sun and light as well as strength and healing, emblazoned on it—a golden circle with six rays spreading outward from them. Glo remembered Xelda telling him that the baroness was a proficient cleric, although that was not her primary calling.

  Below the symbol on the baroness’s dress, Glo observed a second symbol—the heraldic of the House Avernos. As the man up front droned on, Lieutenant Relkin motioned them toward an empty bench in the back. They quietly shuffled down the row and sat down, Relkin joining them. Glo gazed around the room. There was a man in guard’s uniform, standing to the baron’s right, though a few steps down.

  “That’s Captain Gelpas,” Relkin whispered.

  A young woman sat off to the right of the baron and baroness in an ornate chair. She had long strawberry blonde hair and cream-colored skin, but her most prominent feature was her electric blue eyes. While perhaps not quite as tall as the baroness, she carried herself with the same regal air. Her lavish green dress furthered her majestic appearance, accentuated with finery that was more in line with a lordly court than a simply barony.

  “And that’s the Lady Andrella. She will be eighteen in just a few weeks,” Relkin whispered to him once more.

  The fisherman finally sat down, and a court herald took his place. The man began reading from a long parchment, announcing further news from around the barony. Lieutenant Relkin stood up and whispered to them, “You’ll excuse me. I must inform Captain Gelpas of your presence.”

  “Thank you,” Aksel whispered back. “You have been most kind.”

  Lieutenant Relkin nodded, then strode away. He circumvented the pews and pulled Captain Gelpas aside. The two men briefly exchanged words, then Relkin pointed over to where the companions sat. Captain Gelpas gazed over, giving them a curt nod. The men talked a bit more, then Lieutenant Relkin exited the room, leaving them on their own. The herald finally finished his announcements. The meeting continued with more talk about town businesses, including the needs of the farming community, tax collections, and the state of the royal treasury.

  Seth yawned. “Wake me when it’s time to go.” He feigned falling asleep in his seat.

  Aksel gave the halfling a disapproving look. “Seth, behave yourself.”

  Seth did not open his eyes. “I always behave myself,” he responded, “just not always that well.”

  Glo had to stifle a laugh. Seth was not all that wrong; the meeting was terribly boring. The details of running the town were tedious at best. Glo marveled at the baron and baroness, how they put up with even the most monotonous of their subjects. He gazed toward the Lady Andrella, curious if she was handling it as well as her parents. Surprisingly, the young lady was staring in their direction. At first he thought she was looking at him. Perhaps she had never seen an elf before? Glo soon realized she was staring at Lloyd.

  He gazed over at the young man, but Lloyd was totally unaware of her attention. His eyes were riveted on Baron Gryswold. He watched him with a fierce intensity, studying his every move, hanging on his every word. It was as if he was an actor, learning to play a part. It truly made no sense. Why would Lloyd care how a nobleman acted in court? Glo felt a nudge in the side. It was Aksel.

  “What?” he whispered to the gnome.

  “Did you hear that?”

  Glo shifted his focus to the conversation up front. The subject was trade with other towns. A merchant was talking about the orcs they had encountered.

  “I’ve lost three shipments now from Tarrsmorr to these bandits in the last three months.”

  That voice belongs to Pheldan. Glo shifted in his seat until he got a better view of the speaker. Sure enough, it was the half-elf, Pheldan. He caught a glimpse of a woman with long dark hair sitting next to the merchant. That had to be Xelda. Pheldan continued to speak.

  “The only caravan we’ve seen in the last few months just narrowly made it through a few days ago. And that was only by the grace of some gifted passengers and a passing warrior. I tell you, Baron Gryswold, if something isn’t done soon, I will go out of business.”

  The baron sat forward, his expression one of concern. “I’m truly sorry Master Pheldan, but I just don’t have the men
to send out and search for these brigands.”

  The Lady Gracelynn also sat forward. She was very poised, but her tone was deeply sympathetic. “Who were these passengers and this warrior you speak of?”

  “I don’t exactly remember their names,” Pheldan replied, “but I can tell you that one was an elf, one was a gnome, one was a halfling, and the last was a giant of a man, all dressed in red.”

  Seth’s eyes snapped open. “That’s us!”

  Aksel put a finger to his lips. “Shhh, I can’t hear what they’re saying.”

  Xelda’s voice rang out across the room. “If I may speak, your Ladyship?”

  The Lady Gracelynn smiled at the young woman. “Go ahead, my dear.”

  “The elf is Glolindir. He’s a wizard from the west. He’s been at our shop a few times since. The gnome is Aksel, and I believe he is a cleric. The halfling is named Seth. I am not sure what his vocation is. And the tall human is Lloyd. He is most definitely a warrior.”

  It was the baron’s turn to speak. “Do you by any chance know where these folks can be found?”

  “I think they are staying at the Charging Minotaur, my Lord,” Xelda responded.

  Captain Gelpas chose that moment to step up to the throne. The baron bent forward as the captain whispered into his ear. Gryswold straightened up and gazed toward the back of the room. At the same time, he cleared his throat and made an announcement. “Ahem. It has come to my attention that the group of whom you speak is in this very room.”

  Murmurs broke out amongst the crowd. People turned this way and that. The baron raised his voice to be heard over the din.

  “I’ve also been told that this same band cleared out a horde of monsters and a dark wizard from Stone Hill only yesterday, all at the request of our good friend, Wizard Maltar.”

  More murmurs swept through the crowd. A townsperson right in front of the foursome stood up and cried, “They’re back here!” Everyone stood up and turned around to look at them. The entire assembly was thrown into an uproar. Glo could hardly hear anything over the din. The captain of the guard pushed his way through the crowd and motioned for them to follow him up front. Meanwhile, the town herald tried to settle down the crowd.

  “Quiet! Quiet please! Everyone be seated!”

  The townsfolk slowly settled down and took their seats. A hush fell over the crowd as Glo and the others were presented to the baron and baroness. The Lady Andrella now stood by her mother’s side.

  The baron addressed them in a formal tone. “Your service to our town is greatly appreciated.” The baron looked them over, his eyes narrowing as they fixed on Lloyd. “Did I hear right before? Is your name Lloyd?”

  Lloyd bowed to the baron and baroness. “Yes, your Lordship.”

  “Lloyd,” the baron repeated as if trying to remember something. Abruptly, he snapped his fingers. “A warrior named Lloyd in a Penwick tabard. And not just any tabard, but a tabard from the House of Stealle!” The baron rose from his chair, his excitement apparent. “You must be Krato’s son.”

  Lloyd’s response was rather subdued. “Yes, your Lordship. I am.”

  Gryswold stepped closer, looking Lloyd up and down. “So you’re the young Lord Stealle. I can definitely see the resemblance.”

  Lord Stealle? Lloyd? Glo looked at Aksel and Seth. Both seemed equally surprised. Kratos Stealle? Wasn’t that the hero of Penwick Lloyd spoke about—the one who defeated the Pirate Eboneye and helped save the city? The one who was now a Lord and Admiral of the Penwick Navy? Suddenly it all made sense. Lloyd was the son of the famous Lord Kratos Stealle. He was a noble of Penwick. That was how Lloyd knew so much about nobility and responsibility. It also explained why he was reluctant to come here in his Penwick tabard. Lloyd didn’t want anyone to know who he was. He must have set out from home to make a name for himself on his own merits. He did not want to depend on his family name. Glo felt a sudden bond with his new friend. They had both set out from home without any support from their families.

  Baron Gryswold continued on exuberantly. “Your father is a fine man and a noble warrior. Did he ever tell you the stories about our fight with the Eboneye?”

  A knowing smile spread across Lloyd’s face. “Many times, your Lordship.”

  Gryswold threw back his head and laughed. He proceeded to speak in a voice loud enough for everyone in the chamber to hear. “Those were glorious times! It must be, oh, about twenty years now. The scoundrel Eboneye had taken over Penwick. The baron had been slain, and the town forces were scattered.”

  Gryswold’s voice grew louder, his eyes ablaze. “Your father and I rallied those forces, and together we routed the invading horde. It was a bloody war, but street by street, we took Penwick back until the entire city was once again ours. Eboneye tried to run, but Kratos and I gave chase. We cornered the cur on his ship and a great battle ensued. Gods, the man could swing a blade. Slew Eboneye himself! The ship went down in the harbor, and the pirate’s reign of terror ended.”

  The entire assemblage cheered as the baron finished his story. Gryswold stood there with a wistful look on his face. He shook his head and gazed down at Lloyd once more.

  “And you are Kratos’s son. Kratos was always a striking figure of a man. The women of Penwick were always fawning over him. I see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Gryswold turned toward his wife and daughter. “What say you, Andrella?”

  Glo turned in time to catch the young lady staring at Lloyd. As all eyes fell on her, she swiftly shifted her gaze toward her father. The young lady faltered a moment, but recovered expertly, although there was a slight reddish tinge to her cheeks.

  “Oh, um, I think that…any son of your old comrade is a friend of the court of Ravenford.”

  Glo turned to gaze at Lloyd. The young man’s eyes were locked on the Lady Andrella. His face lit up, and his mouth hung open ever so slightly. Lloyd was obviously taken with the young noble woman, and Andrella appeared to return his interest.

  Gryswold sounded rather amused by Andrella’s response. “Ah, well said, my daughter.”

  Gracelynn interrupted the baron’s fun. “Although Mistress Xelda was nice enough to tell us your names, I believe that formal introductions are in order.”

  Aksel stepped forward. “Ahem. This tall elf is the Wizard Glolindir Eodin from the fair city of Cairthrellon. Glolindir is also the newest apprentice to the Master Wizard Maltar.”

  Gryswold was clearly surprised by that bit of news. “Really? My old friend Maltar is very picky about his apprentices. You must have impressed him greatly.”

  Glo bowed to the baron and baroness. “One does one’s best.”

  The Lady Gracelynn responded graciously, “If my knowledge of geography is right, Cairthrellon is a long way from here.”

  “It is indeed, your Ladyship.”

  The Lady Gracelynn’s expression turned sympathetic. “Well then, please consider this your second home.” Her smile was so serene that Glo did indeed feel quite welcome here. The lady then turned to Lloyd. “And the same to you, young Lord Stealle.”

  Lloyd was still staring at the Lady Andrella. He swiftly shifted his gaze to the baroness. “You are most kind, your Ladyship.”

  Aksel, as stoic as ever, continued with the introductions. “And this is our comrade, Master Seth Korzair, from the city of Ilos. He is…well…he is…” Aksel paused as he tried to find the right words.

  Seth stepped forward and addressed the nobles directly. “Your Lord and Ladyship, let’s just say that I am a jack of all trades. An expert in those areas that might confound the warrior or the mage.” He gave a quick smile to all and then stepped back.

  Gryswold exchanged a quick glance with Gracelynn, both with a trace of a smile on their lips. Gryswold then turned back toward Seth. “I see.”

  Aksel cleared his throat. “Thank you, Seth. And
I, your Lord and Ladyship, am the Cleric Aksel Alabaster from the temple of the Soldenar in the city of Caprizon.”

  Lady Gracelynn’s voice was filled with reverence as she responded, “Well met, fellow cleric. It is not often that we get to see clergy of the other races here in Ravenford. And I must confess, I do not know a lot about the Soldenar. Perhaps you would be kind enough to instruct me during your stay in our fair town?”

  Aksel bowed low to the gentle lady. “It would be my honor.”

  The baron was obviously a strong leader, but the Lady Gracelynn seemed to be the heart of the small town. She had a way of making everyone feel both important and welcome.

  Baron Gryswold returned to the subject of the orc bandits. “As you already know, our merchants’ caravans are falling prey to a group of bandits on the road west of here. You four have already fought off these thieves, but there may still be some at large. I don’t have the men to hunt them down, so I would ask if you could get rid of them for us.”

  “It would be an honor, your Lordship,” Aksel said without hesitation.

  Lloyd answered him as well, “Don’t worry, your Lordship. We’ll be sure to take care of every last bandit.”

  A broad smile crossed Gryswold’s face. “Spoken like a true Stealle! Captain Gelpas here will fill you in on the details and outfit you with anything you may need.”

  With that, the foursome were dismissed from the throne room. They followed the captain down the center aisle toward the doorway. Glo cast one last glance back toward the throne room as they exited. The baron and baroness were engaged in conversation with Pheldan, Xelda, and some other folks whom he did not know. The Lady Andrella, however, gazed in their direction. She immediately turned away when Lloyd glanced back at the throne. A brief smile crossed Glo’s lips. There was definitely something between these two, and he was curious to see where it would lead.

  Once outside the throne room, Gelpas addressed the group, “All of the caravans that disappeared were traveling along the west road from Tarrsmorr through the Bendenwoods. We sent out a small contingent to search for them a few weeks back. Every train made it to the town of Bendenwood, but once leaving there, they were never seen again. Not a trace.”